Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Howlin for sharing time. I am disappointed the Minister for Education and Science is not present to take this Adjournment matter. I will spell out what could make a difference in this case. A 52-seater bus put on this route would solve the problem. While the Government wastes millions of euro in each Department, it is unable to put a 52-seater bus on this route. What grieves me is that other areas in a similar position to Blackwater have been sorted out. However, Blackwater is left in a position where it has no school transport for its children.

Some seven or eight children are already in receipt of school transport from Bus Éireann, yet their siblings are unable to gain access to school transport. That is a scandal. I have a happy letter and a sad letter. The happy one, which is from County Wexford Vocational Education Committee and which states that only 23 students from Blackwater will be categorised as eligible, was received on 13 October. On 21 October I received a letter to the effect that once the forms are processed through Bus Éireann they would receive their tickets. On 21 November the Department of Education and Science wrote to the County Wexford VEC stating that the students are not within the catchment area and will not receive school transport from Bus Éireann. That is a scandal. I am disappointed the Minister is not present to hear our plea.

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